PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jaakko Savolainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rafael Misiek (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Savolainen's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Winning. Misiek is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by El Picante. Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Savolainen
vs
Misiek

184 cm
30
179 lbs
20 - 11 - 0

181 cm
30
185 lbs
20 - 19 - 2

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Mohito Fightwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 20 - 11 - 0, fighting out of London, Jaakko Savolainen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 19 - 2, fighting out of New York, Rafael Misiek!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Daniel Franklin and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Misiek lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

It looks like Jaakko Savolainen has been cut.
Misiek lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Savolainen tries for a takedown but Misiek manages to get underhooks.
Misiek is pressed up against the cage. Savolainen has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Misiek down to the mat. Misiek avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Misiek throws a low kick but it's checked well by Savolainen.
Savolainen closes this distance looking for a takedown but Misiek circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jaakko Savolainen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Savolainen shoots in looking for a takedown. Misiek tries to sprawl out of it but Savolainen keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Misiek manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Savolainen fails with a takedown attempt.
Misiek lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Savolainen connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
A slapping body kick lands there for Misiek.
Jaakko Savolainen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Savolainen walks into a left hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Savolainen shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Savolainen showed some decent athleticism there.

Misiek kicks off Savolainen and gets to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Savolainen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Savolainen feints and as Misiek raises his hands in defense, Savolainen changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Misiek keeping full guard, as Savolainen tries to pass.
Misiek pulls Savolainen in close to his closed guard and prevents Savolainen from doing any damage or advancing position.
Misiek is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Misiek is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Savolainen is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Savolainen missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Savolainen tries to free his leg and advance position but Misiek is retaining full guard.
Misiek manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Savolainen manages to get himself to full guard.

Savolainen has his foot on Misiek's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Misiek works his way back into a safe position though.
Misiek keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Savolainen's head.
Misiek not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Misiek working his ground and pound in the gym. So far it seems to be working well.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Misiek is looking to stand up but Savolainen won't let him.

Savolainen looking for a guillotine here but Misiek defends easily.

Savolainen is working actively from the bottom, looking for submissions. He's escaped his hips to the side and he's going for an armbar! Misiek has his hands clasped together but Savolainen extends and breaks Misiek's desperate grasp, forcing a tap out due to armbar! Nice BJJ displayed there by Savolainen.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Jaakko Savolainen!
Jaakko Savolainen opened up his post fight interview with a scream to camera that he wants a title shot! Whether he deserves the shot will be up to the management of the organization, so I guess he'll have to wait and see.